The national government’s road infrastructure network upgrade in Kericho County continues to take shape with the upgrading of various roads into bitumen standards.
The initiative is expected to revolutionize transport and economic activities in the South Rift Region.
The mega road projects include the upgrade of the 13-kilometer Sondu Sosiot Kapsoit Road at a cost of Sh580,595, 871 million began in January 2023 and expected to be completed by June 2025.
According to the Kericho County Commissioner Mr. Gilbert Kitiyo, the government has injected Sh905,857,473 to upgrade the Kapsuser Kipsolu road which was launched by President William Ruto earlier this year and was expected to be completed by December 2025.
The County Commissioner confirmed that the contractor and engineers were on site and the project was at 20 percent completion.
Kitiyo further said that the Kericho Interchange project which connects Kisumu to Nakuru through Kericho, started in November 2020 and was completed in January 2023, an investment that cost the national government Sh1,388,321,424 billion.
“The Kericho Interchange was completed and has significantly impacted road users by improving traffic flow and connectivity in Kericho,” added Kitiyo.
Additionally, the CC also confirmed that the 9.46 Kilometres Stadium roads project, that were started last year ahead of the Mashujaa Day celebrations at a cost of Sh478,545,878 million, was completed and is currently in use.
The County Commissioner said the ongoing road infrastructure projects in Kericho County have employed numerous skilled and unskilled labourers from the local community, contributing to job creation and economic growth.
Meanwhile, a site Civil engineer at the Kapsuser-Kipsolu Road and Kasuser Sosiot Road Masika Kennedy cited frequent heavy rains in the county as the major challenge they grappled with but assured that the project was still on track with the help of Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) personnel whose role is development, rehabilitation, maintenance and management of rural roads in the country.
Residents who spoke to KNA expressed enthusiasm and high hopes that the new road networks would improve transportation efficiency and drive regional economic growth.
By Kibe Mburu
